Storm falter in road loss to Millard South

MILLARD — Friday night was just not Elkhorn South’s night as the Storm football team fell to Millard South 33-0.

‍

The old saying what can go wrong, will go wrong unfortunately rang true for Elkhorn South all night.

The Storm opened the game with a solid drive and reached the Millard South 29-yard line before a sack forced a fourth-and-11. On fourth down, Carson Rauner floated a beautiful pass toward the end zone, but the ball bounced off the receiver’s hands and fell incomplete.

Elkhorn South stopped Millard South’s fourth down attempt at midfield, as the navy and gold took over in Patriot territory. The drive stalled and the Storm were forced to punt.

‍

Two lucky bounces led to Millard South’s first touchdown on its next drive. On third-and-10, the Patriots attempted a screen but the Storm defense snuffed out the deception. Jett Thomalla scrambled and fired a pass down field, the ball was nearly picked by an Elkhorn South defender, but instead Amarion Jackson made a one-handed snag for the first down. 

On the next play, Nolan Feller picked up a botched snap in the backfield and appeared to be tackled for a loss, however the refs ruled he was not down and Feller went 31-yards for a score. Cooper Perrien blocked the ensuing PAT to keep the deficit at 6-0.

On the next Elkhorn South offensive play, Fernando Lecuona recovered a loose ball in the end zone for a score to put the Patriots up 13-0 to start the second quarter.

Things went from bad to worse for the Storm, as Rauner was knocked out of the game on the ensuing Elkhorn South possession.

After a Millard South field goal, the Storm defense stiffened up and came up with a couple of big stops to set the offense up with decent field position. Elkhorn South, without its star quarterback, was unable to capitalize and struggled on offense.

‍

Elkhorn South looked to gain some momentum just before the end of the half. Ethan Duda picked off a pass and returned it to Millard South territory. On the ensuing play, Dylan Kuhl intercepted Madden Riggs’ pass and went all the way for a touchdown to put the home squad ahead 23-0 at the half.

The bad breaks continued in the second half for Elkhorn South. After taking over in Millard South territory following a three-and-out to start the third, the Storm could only go backwards on the drive and were forced to punt.

Two costly penalties for the navy and gold kept Millard South’s next drive alive. A pass interference penalty on the Storm on a pass well over the Patriot receiver’s head gave Millard South a first down after facing a third-and-10 from its own four. After an incomplete pass brought up fourth down at midfield, an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after the play gave Millard South a first down. The Patriots cashed in on the Storm mistakes with a field goal.

‍

The Patriots put the finishing touches on their win with a fourth-quarter score by Ean Langer.

‍

After dominating in its week one opening win over Lincoln Southeast, Elkhorn South was on the other side of the blowout in week two. Millard South outgained the Storm 285-44. The Patriot defense flourished all night, recording two takeaways — both for scores — and five sacks. Lecuona tallied a fumble recovery for a touchdown and three sacks to lead the Patriot defense. 

‍

‍

Luke Hoskinson guided the Storm offense with three catches for 46 yards. Gavin Shanahan ran for 18 yards, Rauner went 4-for-9 for 51 yards passing and Jaydon Sutko added 8 yards on the ground.

‍

Elkhorn South (1-1) looks to get back on track Friday when the Storm travel to Papillion-La Vista South (1-1) for a 7 p.m. showdown.